Twin Updates for Minneapolis’ and St. Paul’s Sick and Safe Time Ordinances

On March 31, Minnesota’s Twin Cities issued draft rules relating to their respective sick and safe time ordinances. Both cities will receive public comment on the rules until May 1, 2017, and the rules may be revised further after that date as a result. Minneapolis’ draft rules are fairly sparse and focus primarily on the city’s proposed enforcement efforts, likely because the city recently released a FAQ on the ordinance. St. Paul’s rules are significantly more comprehensive, addressing many aspects of that city’s ordinance. Interestingly, and likely in light of the recent court injunction limiting the reach of the Minneapolis ordinance to employees who work for companies with a Minneapolis location, St. Paul’s rules limit the scope of its ordinance, applying it only to employees that work for a company that has a physical presence in the city itself. Lisa Schmid, labor and employment attorney with Nilan Johnson Lewis and a consistently reliable voice in the media on this topic, advises employers to closely follow both cities’ ordinances and the evolving state of affairs around them, including the rulemaking process. For example, she describes the “Public Questions” tool (located online here) and FAQ (found here) the City of St. Paul has made available until May 1 as recommended reading for businesses operating within the borders of St. Paul. “In addition to seeking out solid counsel, employers are wise to study these resources to better understand how the ordinances will be specifically organized and enforced as they prepare to comply.” To learn more about this topic, or if you are interested in preparing a public comment for submission in regard to the draft rules, contact Lisa Schmid at 612.305.7549 or lschmid@nilanjohnson.com.